Jefferson Airplane members Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady formed Hot Tuna in 1969 during a hiatus while Grace Slick recovered from throat node surgery. What began as a rootsy side project quickly became a full-fledged band, one that ultimately far out-lived the original group. Based from the start on Kaukonen’s and Casady’s expert musicianship, Hot Tuna sought to explore traditional blues and folk styles apart from the heavy rock sound of the Airplane. Longtime students of folk-blues pioneers like Reverend Gary Davis, Blind Blake and Jelly Roll Morton, the duo mixed traditional songs with their own compositions in a stripped-down, primarily acoustic style. At a time when Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and their peers were adding stack after Marshall stack to their stage gear, this was indeed a radical move.

Recorded live during a week of shows at Berkeley’s New Orleans House, the band’s self-titled 1970 debut is an acoustic affair highlighting the country blues approach of their heroes. It features several of their signature songs, including “Hesitation Blues,” “Uncle Sam Blues” and “Know You Rider.” Listen closely during “Uncle Sam Blues” for the sound of breaking beer glasses. This bit of audio vérité resulted in it being nicknamed “the breaking glass album” by the group’s loyal fanbase.

This landmark recording has been sourced from the original analog RCA masters and includes the complete original artwork. A riveting performance from beginning to end, it was the start of one of the most successful and influential branches in rock music’s ever-evolving family tree.